Means for encasing the ribs of loom reeds and the like



Feb. 28, 1939'. E. R. BOND ET AL MEANS FOR ENCASING THE RIBS OF LOOM REEDS AND THE LIKE e Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1957 AND CLARENCE A Hosss Feb. 28, 1939. E R BOND ET AL MEANS FOR ENCASING'THE RIBS OF LOOM REEDS AND THE LIKE Fi led Jan. 29, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 foam [8. BOND AND C LA re sn as A. Ho ass Feb. 28, 1939. E. R BOND Er AL 2,149,204

MEANS' FOR ENCASING THE RIBS OF LOOM FEEDS AND THE LIKE Fild Jan. 29, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 3 v wc/wfoos EDGAR H Bo/w AND CMRENCE 14. #0555 Gum;

Feb. 28, 1939. BR BOND ET AL 2,149,204

MEANS FOR ENCASING THE RIBS OF LOOM mamas AND THE LIKE Filed- Jan. 29, 1937 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 3mm. E Dem 6 BOND CLA RENCE A. How

Gum/Ma;

Pet 28, 1939. R D Er L 2,149,204

MEANS FOR ENCASING THE RIBS OF LOOM REEDS AND THE LIKE v Filed Jan. 29, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 05 I07 I WW1 (Q EDGAR R. 50m:

AND v LA RENCE A. H0885 Feb. 28, 1939. R, B ND ET A 2,149,204

MEANS FOR ENCASING THE RIBS OF LOOM REEDS AND THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 29, 1937 EDGRRALQBBOND v CLARENCEAHOBBS Patented Feb. 28, 1939 PATENT OFFIQE MEANS FOR. ENCASING THE RIBS OF LOOM REEDS AND THE LIKE Edgar R. Bond and Clarence A. Hobbs, Greensboro, N. C., assignors to Textile Specialty Company, Greensboro, N. 0., a corporation of North Carolina Application January 29,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and means for encasing the ribs of loom reeds, warp combs, and'the like, in order that the finished rib may gauge correctly as to diameter at all points thereon. I 'Heretofore, in the manufacture of cotton reeds ofthe' pitch b-and' type, it has not been possible to get an accurate gauge of rib the entire length. This irregularity on the diameter is caused partially from the half-round wood strips which are used on each side of the splits and clamped therearound by a pitched twine. These wood strips are-subject to a varying amount of-shrinkage since they do not generally have a uniform degree of hardness. Also, the tension on the pitched twine will grow greater as the diameter of the spool grows smaller during the formation of the reed resulting in a tighter winding of the pitched yarn as the spool becomes empty.

All of this variation in the gauge of a rib of reeds and combs causes much trouble in cotton weaving. For example, a loom may be alined to take a certain reed and upon turning this reed'end for end, or turning the reed upside down, theinaccuracy of the rib will necessitate there-alining of the 100m because the ribs are not accurate and the splits are not properly centered. Should the loom not be alined every time a reed is installed, the loom will not operate smoothly and the wear on the shuttle will be excessive.

It is therefore, an object of this invention to provide a loom reed or comb having the rib thereof encased in a metallic sheet or band of a uniform diameter, this band being adhesively secured to the endsof .the splits in the reed and tothe'ribs of the reed or comb, and also having the ends thereof projecting past the ends of the ribs and'partially covering the ends of the a 40 riblto additionally secure the band on said rib.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for encasing the ribs of loom reeds, warp combs and the like, comprising means forrendering adhesive one side of a continuous band 'of'material, a die forming means, means forpassing a plurality of loo-m reedribs or warp combs; end. to end, through the die forming means along with the adhesive band, whereby the adhesive band is adhesively secured around the periphery of the rib. Means are also provided for intermittently severing the bands at'the end of each rib and at the same time crimping the band in such a manner that the end of the band .will partially encircle the end of the rib. It has 55 been found that by adhesively securing a me- 1937, Serial No. 122,896

tallic band around the ribs of loom reeds or combs the adhesive necessary to secure this band thereon also gives the projecting ends of the splits which extend beyond the rib an additional anchoring strength so that these splits will not become loose due to vibration occurring during use of the reeds or combs.

The reed, comb and the like, herein shown,- is claimed in a divisional application, Serial No. 237,282, filed October 27, 1938. r

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the de-- scrlption proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the left-hand portion of the apparatus showing certain parts thereof in section;

Figure 1A is an elevation of the other portion of the apparatus; I

Figure 2 is a plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; 1 a

Figure 2A is a plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1A; 7

Figure 3 is a vertical, sectional iew taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, detail, sectional view taken along line 44 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, detail, sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged, detail, sectional view taken along line 66 in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is an enlarged, detail, sectional view taken along line l-l in Figure 2;

Figure 8 is an enlarged, detail, sectional view taken along line $8 in Figure 2A;

Figure 9 is an isometric view of a portion of a comb after its rib has been encased in a metallic cover;

Figure 10 is an isometric view of a loom reed showing one rib thereof prior tothe placing of a metallic cover thereon and showing the other rib with the metallic cover placed thereon;

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along line HIl in Figure 1A;

Figure 12 is an enlarged plan view of the central portion of Figure 2A showing the means for intermittently severing and securing the metallic band at the end of the reeds or combs;

Figure 13 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 12 but showing the position of the parts after the rib has advanced to trigger engaging position;

Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional view similar to the central portion of Figure 2A but showing the position of the parts after the reed has moved slightly farther than the position shown in Figure 13 to a point where the latch is engaged between the ends of the combs;

Figure 15 is a sectional plan view taken along line II5 in Figure 1A;

Figure 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line I5I6 in Figure Figure 17 is an exploded, isometric View showing the two knives which are usedfor severing and securing the ends of the metallic band around the ends of the loom ribs or comb ribs.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral I8 denotes a container for a suitable adhesive material II. A roller I2 is rotatably mounted upon a shaft I3 said shaft being rotatably mounted on a bracket I4 which bracket is disposed within the container II). The roller I2 has the low-er portion thereof normally disposed within the adhesive material II, and as it rotates it is adapted to gather this material upon its periphery and apply the same upon one side of a suitable band I5. The shaft I3 has a sprocket I8 secured on its end and this sprocket has mounted thereon a sprocket chain H, which likewise rotates upon another sprocket I9 on shaft 20. The shaft 28 is rotatably mounted in bracket 2I which is pivotally secured as at 22 to the top of container II).

The other end of shaft 28 has fixedly secured thereon a flanged roller 23 around which the band I5 is drawn from a suitable source of supply which is usually a large roll of the band material. It should be noted that the band I5 does not touch the periphery of roller I2, but the position of roller 23 relative to roller I2 is so adjusted that the band I5 will pass close enough to the periphery of roller I2 to gather the necessary adhesive material therefrom. The projection 22a limits the position which the roller 23 occupies relative to roller I2. In order to prevent an excessive amount of adhesive from adhering to one side of band I5 a wiper 25 is provided which has one end thereof secured to the top of container I8, and its other end disposed close enough to roller I2 so as to prevent an excessive amount of adhesive from being applied to band H5.

The band I5 first passes between members 26 and 21 which are made of any suitable friction material such as leather or the like. The top layer 21 is normally held in engagement with the upper side of the band I5 by means of suitable tension springs 28. These springs encircle bolts 29 which bolts have a washer and a nut on the upper side thereof for regulating the amount of friction desired to be placed upon this band. A metallic strap 27a is loosely mounted on bolts 29 and disposed between the lower ends of springs 28 and the upper side of friction member 21 so that the pressure exerted by springs 28 will be properly applied to the band I5.

As the band I5 passes between the rollers I2 and 23 the adhesive material is placed thereon. It should also be noted by referring to Figure 2, that the width of the adhesive material is considerably narrower than the width of the band I5 in order that there may not be any overflow after the band has been encased around the rib during the subsequent operations which will be presently described.

After the band I5 has been rendered adhesive, it then passes to the right in Figures 1 and 2, after which it is subjected to six different bending or crimping operations whereby the band is formed around the ribof a loom reed or comb. The crimping or forming rolls are designated by the reference characters to 46 inclusive, which are mounted upon shafts 41 to 58 inclusive, respectively, (Figures 1 to 10). The rib of a suitable loom reed or comb is placed directly on top of adhesive band I5, and is fed between the rollers 35 to 48 inclusive, along with the band. Figures 3 to 8 inclusive, show the successive formations of the band I5 as they pass between the various pairs of rollers. It will be noted however, at first the band I5 is slightly bowed, whereas, in the second and succeeding operations, the sides of this band are gradually drawn closer to the periphery of the rib Bil. As this formation takes place there is a tendency for the strip of adhesive material, which is placed on band I5, to collect as at in the lower side of the trough which is formed, and later be pressed between the lower ends of splits 66, thereby forming an additional securing means for the ends of these splits and prevent the same from becoming loose due to the vibration arising from use of the reed.

Rollers 35 to 42 inclusive have shoulders 35a to 42a inclusive, respectively, which are so positioned that the bending of the metallic band I5 will be symmetrical about the center line of the splits GIa during the formation of this band around the ribs. This of course, means that the peripheral contact or engagement of the band I5 with the surfaces of the rollers 35 to 42 inclusive, between each pair of shoulders, shall be the same. For example, the length of peripheral contact between the shoulders 35a and 36a which engages the lower side of band I5 in Figure 3, is the same in length as the peripheral contact between shoulders 37a and 38a in Figure 4, and so on in Figures 5 and 6. This will keep the band I5 properly positioned at all times during its formation so that when the band is completely finished, the edges of the band I5 will properly contact the opposed sides of the splits GIa and thereby present a finished appearance.

Disposed directly above the forming rolls 35 to 46 inclusive are suitable guide rolls Ill to 8| inclusive, respectively. There is also a second set of guide rolls 85 to 96 inclusive, which are secured around the shafts 4'! to 58, inclusive, respectively. The latter set, comprising rolls 85 to 96 inclusive, are only used in case a loom reed such as shown in Figure 10, is passed through the machine, in which case, it is necessary to have this additional guiding means to prevent any tilting of the reed. In the present showing, only a comb, such as shown in Figure 9, is used and therefore, the guide rollers II! to 8| inclusive, are all that are neces sary for holding the comb in its proper position.

The shafts 41 to 58 inclusive, are rotatably mounted in suitable plates or castings I00 and. "II, said castings being held in spaced relation by suitable diaphragms I02. The lower end of casting IllI is supported by suitable supports I03. Each of the shafts 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 have a pinion I05 fixedly secured on the lower end thereof which is adapted to mesh with another pinion I06, said pinion I06 being disposed on the lower end of shafts 41, 49, 5I, 53, 55 and 51. The lower end of each of the shafts 48, 50, 52, 54, 5B and 58 also have a worm gear I01 fixedly secured thereon which worm gears are driven by worms IIlB fixedly secured on longitudinally disposed shaft I89, which is rotatably mounted in bearings III] which project downwardly from the casting IOI. The end of shaft I89, Figure 1A, has a pulley III upon which is mounted belt II2. This belt is also mounted upon motor pulley I I3 which is fixedly secured on motor shaft II4 of motor at the desired time.

H5. As the motor rotates the shaft I09 in a counter-clockwise manner 'in Figure 3, through members III, H2 and H3, it is seen that the proper direction of rotation is imparted to the forming rolls which will thereby draw the loom reeds or combs along with the band I5 between these rolls to cause the band to be properly formed around the rib.

It frequently occurs that the adhesive material which is disposed in the container I0 has a high viscosity and it is necessary to maintain it at a relatively high temperature while the band. I5 is being formed around the rib. Therefore, a suitable pipe II1 has been provided which has suitable holes disposed in the upper side thereof to allow gas to escape therefrom. When this gas is ignited, flames H8 will be disposed directly beneath the center line of band I5 which will keep the adhesive material at its proper temperature and also render the band more pliable. A valve H9 is provided at the end of pipe II1 which can be operated to adjust the height of the flames desired and thereby regulate the temperature of the band I5.

After the reeds have passed beyond the forming rolls and 46, the rib has been completely encased by the band I5. In order to make the operation a continuous one, the combs 6|, 62 and 63 and so on, are fed through the forming rolls,

end to end, so that all of the ribs may be properly encased, and also, so that a greater production may be attained. It is necessary however, that means be provided for severing this band at the proper point between the ribs 60 of combs 6I, 62 and, and it is likewise necessary to provide means for properly securing the severed ends around the ends of the ribs at the time it is severed. This automatic severing and securing means has been mounted upon a suitable framework I25, which framework has trackways I26 and I21 secured upon the upper side thereof. Upon these trackways a carriage I28 is mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the frame This carriage comprises a pair of rollers such as I29 which are rotatably secured on the ends of axle I30, the other ends of said axle I30 having rollers I3I rotatably mounted thereon. Secured intermediate the ends of the axles is a longitudinally disposed channel member I32 which has secured to the upper surface thereof suitable angle guides I33, I34, I35 and I36, between which the ribs 60 and the band I5 are adapted to pass after the band has been adhesively formed around the ribs.

Disposed on opposed sides of channel members I32 are vertical shafts I40 on which are rotatably mounted lower guide rolls I 4| and upper guide rolls I42. It will be noted that these rolls are placed in pairs substantially the same as the guide rollers 85 to 96 inclusive, and serve the same function. That is, the lower rollers I4I are used in case a comb is passed between the rollers whereas, both the rollers MI and I42 are used when a comb or loom reed of a greater depth is placed therebetween which necessitates the provision of additional guiding means.

In the construction of warp combs or reeds, such as 6I or 68, the ribs are formed of semi-circular half-round members such as 61, between which are placed the splits 6 Ia or 680., (Figures 9 and 10). These splits are usually spaced by a spirally arranged pitched cord 69. At the end of .the comb or reed, an end bar such as 6Ib or 681) is provided which is likewise disposed between the semi-circular halfsround members 61. In order to properly secure this end bar in position, a cap member I is inserted over the ends of the members 61 and astride the end bars BIZ) and 681). Then suitable round headed nails I5I are driven into the ends of the ribs to secure the cap mem ber I50 in place. The thickness of the end of cap member I50 together with the height of the nail heads I5I add a small amount to the overall length of the rib which amounts to perhaps onesixteenth of an inch or more.

It is therefore, seen by referring to Figure 13, that when the ribs are placed end to end and drawn through the machine the distance between the end bars 6Ib of two different combs will be one-eighth of an inch or more. In this gap a suitable feeler I98 is adapted to penetrate when the reeds have reached a predetermined point. The function of this feeler is to render operative the severing means at the proper time so that the metallic band I5 will be severed between the ribs and secured around these ends at the same time.

The lower side of channel member I32 has secured thereto a plate casting I55, the lower end of which supports a part of the automatic sever ing means. Projecting downwardly from the lower side of plate I are bearings I56, I51, I58 and I59 in which is rotatably mounted a shaft I60. On the left-hand end of shaft I60 in Figure 1A, there is fixedly secured an oval shaped cam I6I which has its opposed sides contacted by suitable pins I64 and I65 which pins are slidably mounted in the lower portion of bracket I66. The outer ends of pins I64 and I65 are pivoted as at I61 and I68 to vertically disposed levers I69 and I10 respectively, (Figure 11). Likewise these levers I69 and I10 are pivoted in the bracket I66 as at HI and I12 respectively, and the upper end of 7 these levers are pivoted to the outer ends of knives I13 and I14, as at I15 and I16 respectively. The pins I 64 and I65 are held in engagement with cam I6I by means of compression springs IBM. and HM which engage the upper portions of levers I69 and I10. These springs tend to rotate the levers I69 and I10 in counterclockwise and clockwise directions respectively.

The knives have cuttings edges I13a and H411 respectively, which are adapted to move inwardly towards the center line of the rib and sever the metallic band I5 when the severing point or the end of a rib has reached the proper position so that the knives can sever the band without severing the rib. It will be noted that these knives are placed with two of the faces coinciding with each other so that the cutting edges of the knives can be moved in opposite directions past each other when the cutting mechanism is operated. The knives I13 and I14 are slidably mounted in brackets I11 and I18 respectively, which, in turn, are secured to the channel member I32. Also, slidably mounted in bracket I11 is a latch member I80, one end of which normally clears the splits 6Ia of the combs. In other words, the normal position of the latch end I80 is shown in Figures 2A, 12 and 13.

The member I 80 is also slidably mounted in angle member I8I which is secured to the side of bracket I11. Disposed around this member I80 is a compression spring I82, one end of said compression spring being adapted to rest against one leg of angle member I8I and its other end against the pin I83 which penetrates member I80. This spring normally tends to force the latch I80 to the position shown in Figure 14 when the member is not latched, but under normal operation the member I88 is latched as shown in Figure 2A.

In order to keep the member I88 latched to the position shown in Figure 2A, a notch I88 is provided into which one end of lever I85 isadapted to fit. This lever I85 is pivoted as at I88a to a bracket I85 which is supported by the bracket Ill. The other end of lever I85 has secured thereto a link I8'I, the other end of said link being secured to the intermediate portions of lever I88. A tension spring I98 normally holds a lever I85 in latched position as shown in Figure 2A.

The lever I88 is pivoted as at I 9-5 to bracket I98, which bracket is supported by the bracket I18. Pivotally mounted on the free end of lever I88 as at I9'I, is a feeler member I98. One end of member I98 has projections I99 and 288 integral therewith. During the normal operation of the apparatus, that is, when the cutting and shearing means are not in operation, the end of the feeler is held in engagement with the side edges of the splits 6Ia or 88a in the manner shown in Figures 2A and 12. Since the gaps between the splits are not sufficiently wide enough to allow the projection I99 to pass therebetween, it is evident that the projection I99 will in no way obstruct the movement of the splits as they pass by projection I99. The tension spring 28I has one end thereof secured to the other end of feeler I98 and the other end of said spring being secured to bracket I I8 so that the point I99 will be normally pushed toward and against the splits 8! a or 68a.

As previously stated, there is a gap between the end bars 8 lb of the ribs due to the heads of nails II and the thickness of the caps I58. When the gap reaches projection I99, the projection will fall therein as shown in Figure 13. Upon further movement of the ribs, the feeler, as well as the lever arm I88, will be pivoted in a clockwise manner about point I95, (Figures 2A and 14), which, in turn, will rotate the lever I85 through the link I8'I in a counter-clockwise manner about pivot point I86a. By the time the feeler I98 has been rotated to the right far enough to cause the end of lever I85 to become disengaged from the notch I84, the gap which is disposed between the end bars 6Ib is disposed directly in alinement with the end of latch member I88; therefore, when this member is released to assume a position as shown in Figure 14, the projection I99 will be moved out of the gap between the ends of bars BIb to allow the lever I88 to return to normal position under the tension of spring I98, as shown in Figure 14, thereby returning feeler I98 to approximately normal position.

It is seen that with latch I88 disposed within the gap in Figure 14, relative movement between the rib of the reed or comb as well as the metallic band I5 cannot take place; consequently, as the reeds or combs move to the right in the various figures in the drawings, the carriage I28 will likewise be moved. As this carriage is carried to the right, (Figures 1A and 2A) a suitable mechanism will be brought into operation, whereby the knives I13 and I14 will be caused to sever the metallic band and at the same time to secureit around the ends of the ribs.

By referring to Figures 1A, 15 and 16, it is seen that the end of shaft I68 has fixedly secured thereon a clutch 2I8. The face of this clutch is adapted to engage, at times, the face of another clutch 2| I, which is slidably keyed on shaft 2I2. The shafts I88 and 2I2 are merely connected by a male and female joint; or in fact, they may be entirely separate and apart from each other, if desired. In other words, with the parts in the position shown, relative rotation can take place between the two shafts, and it is only when the clutches 2| 8 and 2I I are engaged that the motion of shaft 2I2 is transmitted to the shaft I68 to cause the severing means to be brought into operation. The shaft 2I2 has a worm gear 2I3 fixedly secured on its end which meshes with a Worm M4 on the motor shaft 2I5 of motor 2I6. Also, a balance Wheel 289 is secured on shaft 2 I2 so that the proper momentum will be given to the shaft during the severing operation. As the shaft 2I2 turns, the clutch ZII will also turn, but since it is slidably keyed on shaft 2 I2, it may move longitudinally thereof so as to engage the face of clutch 2I8 at the proper time. The means for sliding the clutch 2II longitudinally of shaft 2I2' to the left in the drawings to cause it to engage clutch 2I8 comprises a collar 2I8 which is rotatably mounted around the hub of the clutch.

Pivotally secured as at 2I9 and 228 respectively, to the upper and lower sides of collar 2I8, is a forked lever 22! the end of which extends towards the observer in Figures 1A and 15, and has in the free end thereof a slot 222. This slot is penetrated by a bolt 223 which extends downwardly from the framework I25 (Figs. 1A and 15). In order to press the end nearest the observer downwardly against the head of bolt 223 a compression spring 225 is provided.

A tension spring 22'! has one end thereof pivotally secured as at 228 to the collar 2I8 and its other end secured to bearing I58 to normally hold the clutch 2H and its associated parts in position as shown in the drawings where clutch ZII will not engage the clutch 2). As the carriage moves to the right in the drawings, that is, when the end of latch I88 is disposed between the ends of ribs, combs or reeds, it is evident that the clutch 2! I, collar 2I9 and its associated parts will also move to the right, thereby causing the slot 222 to move relative to bolt 223, in Figure 15.

Since the upper end of lever 229 is normally engaging the right-hand side of lever 22I in Fig ures 1A and 15, it is evident that any movement of the carriage I28 and the clutch 2 relative to the framework I 25 will be resisted by the upper end of this lever; therefore, the clutch 2| I will be caused to move to the left on the shaft 2I2 until it engages the clutch 2 I 8.

When the clutch 2| I engages the clutch 2I8, then the rotation of shaft 2I2 will be imparted to the shaft I88 which, in turn, will cause the shearing knives I13 and I14 to reciprocate or to be moved toward each other in Figures 11, 12 and 13, to cause the band I5 to be severed between the ends of the rib.

It will be further noted, that the lever 229 is pivoted as at 23I to the longitudinal strut I25a of framework I25, and the lower end of the lever is normally held in a position shown in Figure 1A by means of tension spring 232. Asuitable stop or pin 233 normally limits the counter-clockwise movement of this lever under the tension of spring 232. When the carriage has moved to the right far enough to cause the upper end of lever 228 to be rotated in a clockwise manner sufficient to allow the arm 22! to pass thereover, then the arm 229 is snapped back to the position shown in Figure 1A under the tension of spring 232, and at the same time, the clutch 2 II is disengaged from the clutch 2I8 under the tension of spring 221. The knives will also be withdrawn'to the position shown in Figure 11 due to the oval-shape of cam -l 6l; However, it should be stated that prior to'this disengagement the knives I13 and I14 have been operated to cause the band I5 to be severed.

Upon further movement to the right of the carriage I28 the roller 238 will be caused to ride uponcam surface 239 which surface is disposed on the top of angle bracket 2411, said bracket 24% being secured to the upper side of framework I25. Since the roller 238 is secured to the free end of lever'24l, its engagement with the cam surface 239 will cause the lever 24! to rotate a slight amount in a clockwise manner about pivot point 242.

Figure 14 shows the position of the roller 238 and the latch member I80 immediately before the roller rides upon the cam surface 239. Upon this: rotation of lever 24!, as previously described, the extreme free end of the lever 24! will engage the projection lBDa on the end of the latch I89, and restore the member I80 to latched position asshown in Figure 2A. Of course when this latchis pulled to this position, the carriage H28 will be disengaged from the moving ribs therein 'andT'therefore, the carriage will be allowed to move back to the left in Figure 2Ato normal position under the force exerted by a weight 244. This weight is connected to the casting M55 as at 246by means ofja flexible cable 241, which cable is a1somounted'upon' a'roller 248. When the parts move back to normal position, then the lever 24! will also return to its normal position under the tension of spring 250.

Lever 24l has a stop 252 secured thereto which projects laterally and then downwardly so that its downwardly extending leg will engage the side of bracket 24!) and act as a stop to limit counter-clockwise rotation of lever 2 about point 242.

Special attention is called to the fact that during this severing operation the ends of the metallic band [5 are crimped or rolled around the end of the rib as shown in Figures 9 and 10. This rolling effect is partially due to the peculiar formation of the knives, as it will be noted in Figure 17 that each knife has a beveled surface "3b which normally tends to roll the severed end around the end of the rib. However, the necessary force which is exerted for severing the metallic band is generally sufiicient to roll the same in its proper position around the end of the ribs irrespective of the shape of the knives.

It is therefore, seen that we have provided means for passing a plurality of ribs for loom reeds, combs and the like, end for end through a plurality of forming means along with a continuous band of adhesive material whereby the adhesive material will be formed around the ribs to form a rib which has a uniform diameter throughout and which is symmetrical in all respects to the center line of the splits disposed within the rib.

It is also seen that we have provided means for intermittently severing and securing this casing around the ends of the rib simultaneously with the severing of the same, thereby eliminating the necessity of providing any additional fastening means such as rivets or the like.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are em ployed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for encasing the rib of loom reeds, warp combs and the like with a metallic band comprising means for guiding and feeding the reeds, combs and the like along with the metallic band through the apparatus, means for cutting the band into lengths slightly longer than the reed, a plurality of forming means for engaging the band and rolling it around the ribs,

and means for rolling the ends of the band inwardly over the ends of the rib.

2. Apparatus for encasing the rib of loom reeds, warp combs and the like, with a metallic band comprising means for guiding and feeding the reeds, combs and the like along with the metallic band through the apparatus, a plurality of forming means for engaging the band and rolling its end edges toward each other around the ribs, and means for cutting the band and bending it over the end of the rib when the said end of the rib reaches a predetermined point in its travel through the apparatus.

3. Apparatus for encasing the rib of loom reeds, warp combs and the like, with a metallic band comprising means for guiding and feeding the reeds, combs and the like along with the metallic band through the apparatus, a plurality of forming means for engaging the band and rolling it around the rib, means for rendering the side of the band which is disposed next to the ribadhesive before it is rolled around the rib, and means for cutting the band and bending its end edges towards each other over the end of the rib when the said end of the rib reaches a predetermined point in its travel through the apparatus.

4. Apparatus for encasing the rib of loom reeds, combs and the like with a metallic band comprising means for guiding and feeding the reeds, combs and the like along with the metallic band through the apparatus, a plurality of forming means for engaging the band and rolling it around the rib, means for rendering the side of the band which is disposed next to the rib adhesive before it is rolled around the rib, and means for heating the band while it is being rolled around the rib.

5. Apparatus for encasing the rib of loom reeds, warp combs and the like with a covering comprising means for guiding and feeding the reeds, combs and the like along with the covering through the apparatus, a plurality of forming means for engaging the covering and rolling it around the ribs, means for rendering the side of the covering which is disposed next to the rib adhesive before it is rolled around the rib, means for heating the covering while it is being rolled around the rib, and means for cutting the covering and bending its end edges toward each other over the end of the rib when the said end of the rib reaches a predetermined point in its travel through the apparatus.

6. Apparatus for rolling a covering over the rib of a warp comb, reed and the like comprising a plurality of forming rollers between which the rib and the covering are passed simultaneously to roll the covering around the rib, and means for cutting the covering and rolling the ends of the covering over the end of the reed, comb and the like when the same has reached a predetermined point in the apparatus.

'7. Apparatus for applying a covering to the ribs of loom reeds, combs and the like comprising means for moving the reeds, combs and the like end to end through the apparatus, including a plurality of forming dies for folding the covering around the ribs of the reeds, combs and the like as they are moved through the apparatus, means for detecting the point of contact between. two adjacent reeds, combs and the like, cutting and crimping means controlled by said detecting means and being operable to cut the covering at the junction point between two reeds, combs and the like and roll it around the ends of said reeds, combs and the like.

8. Apparatus for folding a band of sheet material around the ribs of loom reeds, combs and the like comprising a plurality of forming rollers for feeding the reeds, combs and the like through the apparatus end to end and at the same time folding the band of sheet material around the rib, means for detecting the junction point between the ends of adjacent reeds, combs and the like, and combined cutting and rolling means for cutting the sheet of material at the junction point of adjacent reeds, combs and the like and rolling it over the ends of said ribs to cover a portion of the said ends.

9. Apparatus for folding a band of sheet material around the ribs of loom reeds, combs and the like comprising a plurality of forming rollers .for feeding the reeds, combs and the like through the apparatus end to end and at the same time folding the band of sheet material around the rib, means for detecting the junction point between the ends of adjacent reeds, combs and the like, combined cutting and rolling means for cutting the sheet of material at the junction point of adjacent reeds, combs and the like and rolling it over the ends of said ribs to cover a portion of the said ends, and means for rendering the sheet of material adhesive on the side contacting the ribs before it is folded around the ribs.

10. Apparatus for folding a band of sheet material around the ribs of loom reeds, combs and the like, comprising a plurality of forming rollers for feeding the reeds, combs and the like through the apparatus end to end and at the same time folding the band of sheet material around the rib, means for detecting the junction point between the ends of adjacent reeds, combs and the like, combined cutting and rolling means for cutting the sheet of material at the junction point of adjacent reeds, combs and the like and rolling it over the ends of said ribs to cover a portion of the said ends, and means for rendering the sheet of material adhesive on the side contacting the ribs before it is folded around the ribs, and meansfor heating the sheet of mate- I rial while it is applied around the ribs.

EDGAR R. BOND. CLARENCE A. HOBBS. 

